Making the Right Play: Optimizing the NBA’s Season Structure

Evan Wasch – SVP of Basketball Strategy & Analytics, NBA

 

Steve Koonin – CEO, Atlanta Hawks

 

Gersson Rosas – President of Basketball Operations, Minnesota Timberwolves

 

Shane Battier – VP of Basketball Development & Analytics, Miami Heat

 

Kevin Arnovitz (Moderator) – NBA Writer, ESPN.com

 

For more than 50 years the NBA has operated with an 82-game regular season, but is this the optimal season structure? Questions around player health and injury prevention have led to scrutiny over season length for several years, but the subject has gained momentum recently as the conversation has shifted to considering how the league can better optimize its format for fans. Could a new season structure and competition format actually lead to a more healthy ecosystem for owners, players, broadcast partners, and sponsors? On this panel, league and team executives will examine the most pressing topics surrounding the NBA schedule conversation.